Robotic Ticket Scratching via Remote Mobile Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals who cannot physically purchase or play lottery tickets due to geographical constraints or physical limitations are excluded from participating in lottery games, and those in lottery pools often miss the gameplay experience.
Innovation Solution
A robotic apparatus integrated with a live remote mobile interface allows users to virtually play lottery games by remotely selecting, signing, and scratching tickets, ensuring compliance with governmental regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If lottery tickets require physical purchase and gameplay at physical locations, then governmental regulations are complied with, but accessibility for remote users and those with physical limitations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and the lottery ticket dispensing machine. The robot physically interacts with the ticket machine, scratches the ticket, and handles gameplay actions, while the user controls everything remotely through a mobile interface. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling remote access without requiring changes to the physical ticketing system or governmental regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the physical lottery experience through a mobile application interface. The app displays ticket information, scratching areas, and gameplay elements that mirror the physical ticket, allowing users to interact with a digital representation while a robot handles the physical actions. This copying approach maintains regulatory compliance while providing remote accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users must be physically present at point of sale locations, then lottery pool participation is limited to those present, but remote participation opportunities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic apparatus serves as a shared intermediary for entire lottery pools. Multiple users can control or observe a single robot's actions, or the system can automatically manage tickets for the group. This enables remote participants to contribute to and share in the lottery pool experience without needing to be physically present at the same location or time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application interface provides universal access to multiple users simultaneously. The system supports individual play, group lottery pools, and various levels of remote involvement (full control, partial control, or observation only). This multi-functionality allows the same system to serve diverse participation models without complicating the underlying operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tickets require physical scratching actions, then traditional gameplay experience is maintained, but accessibility for users with physical limitations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the physical scratching action from the user's direct control. The mobile application presents a virtual scratching interface where users can scratch digitally, while the robotic apparatus performs the actual physical scratching of the ticket. This separation allows users with physical limitations to participate fully through the simplified digital interface while the robot handles the physically demanding actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application creates a virtual copy of the ticket and scratching experience. Users interact with a digital representation that mirrors the physical ticket's layout, scratching areas, and reveal mechanics. The robot replicates these actions physically on the actual ticket, providing sensory and functional equivalence without requiring the user to perform physical scratching motions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If remote ticket playing is enabled, then user accessibility is improved, but compliance with governmental location-based regulations may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic apparatus is physically located within the regulated jurisdiction and serves as the compliant intermediary. All physical interactions with the ticket dispensing machine occur within the authorized location, maintaining regulatory compliance. The robot acts as the user's representative in the physical space, ensuring that all gameplay actions originate from an approved location while still enabling remote user participation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a virtual copy of the gameplay experience through the mobile application, while the actual physical ticket and gameplay actions remain within the regulated environment. The digital interface replicates all necessary gameplay elements (ticket selection, scratching areas, result display) without requiring the user's physical presence, thus maintaining location-based regulatory compliance while enabling remote access.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a first command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to provide, based on the first command, a ticket having a scratching area; cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with a scratching command; and obtain second image data including an image of the scratching area of the ticket while the robotic scratching device scratches the scratching area.